Senate Approves Blumenthal-Ernst Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, applauded Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution honoring the life and legacy of former U.S Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. Carter, who died in October, had a decades-long career in public service as a national security expert, professor, and author. The resolution recognizes Carter’s important contributions to modernizing the Department of Defense through prioritizing integration of new technologies, as well as his efforts guiding U.S. policy on denuclearization, terrorist threats abroad, strategic competition with China, and promoting gender equity throughout the military. 

“Secretary Carter’s selfless service helped build a stronger, safer America,” said Blumenthal. “His leadership at the Pentagon opened doors to countless women and transgender service members, and his expertise in global affairs prepared our nation to respond to challenges and threats around the world. Our bipartisan resolution honors Secretary Carter for the incredible impact he had on our armed services and our nation.”     

“America faces an increasingly dangerous world, and Secretary Carter’s life and legacy are a testament to the bipartisan imperative of providing for the common defense. I am proud to join Senator Blumenthal and our colleagues in honoring him,” said Ernst, a combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Secretary Carter began his career in public service in 1981 in the Department of Defense’s Program Analysis and Evaluation Office and went on to serve in the Clinton Administration as Assistant Secretary of Defense for both Nuclear Security and Counterproliferation, as well as International Security Policy. Secretary Carter continued his service under the Obama Administration as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and eventually Secretary of Defense. 

Under Secretary Carter’s leadership, the Department of Defense navigated challenges from China, increased its focus on security in the Asia-Pacific region, and responded to threats from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The Pentagon also took steps to open all military roles to women, increase paid military maternity leave, and permit transgender service members to join and serve openly. 

Outside of government, Secretary Carter coauthored 11 books, more than 100 articles on physics, technology, national security, and management, and served as Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Also joining Blumenthal and Ernst in introducing the resolution were U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ).    

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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